Half-a-dozen ruling Congress MLAs are under the scanner for allegedly changing their preferences for second candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. The Opposition BJP also got stunned when two of its votes were rejected. According to sources, three Independent MLAs supporting the Congress cast their vote in favour of the BJP.

The Opposition BJP has claimed all of its 79 MLAs, barring one, have checked into the resort Jaipur Greens on Jaipur-Ajmer road for crucial Rajya Sahba poll slated to held on Thursday in Jaipur.

Though he is contesting Rajya Sabha elections as an Independent from Rajasthan, industrialist-turned-politician Santosh Bagrodia says he has faith in the leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Mr Rahul Gandhi. “Even though I am in the fray as an Independent, Soniaji is my leader,” Mr Bagrodia said. His presence in the fray is giving the

Independent MLA from Rajasthan’s Bassi constituency Anju Khangwal landed in trouble while the Scheduled Tribes Commission questioned her certificate as a tribal and recommended action against her.

A 75-year-old accused was tied and hung from a tree outside a police station in Rajasthan's Dholpur district, allegedly by three policemen, including a station house officer, who were later suspended.

Independent candidate Santosh Bagrodia decided to remain in contest on the last date of withdrawal of names for four Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan and his presence put a tough challenge for Opposition BJP. In the contest for four Rajya Sabha seats, there are now five candidates, including Union minister Anand Sharma and

Independent candidate for Rajya Sabha elections in Rajasthan Santosh Bagrodia forced the BJP to reorganise its efforts to secure victory of its two candidates, including eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani. According to sources, a section of the BJP has been trying to ensure first priority 41 votes to Mr Jethmalani but it has caused resentment in the party.

A body of Khadims have been awarded the contract to cook food for devotees during the annual urs in two big cauldrons gifted by the Mughal emperors at the Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer. This year the highest bidder offered Rs 55 crores. It is the highest bid offered for the 25 days of urs.

The cultivation of opium has divided the state of Rajasthan. The political and social workers in this desert region have been demanding a ban on the cultivation while politicians in the opium-growing belt oppose any such demand. The state had produced 337 metric tonne of opium this year while last year it yielded 211 metric tonne of opium.

The Gujjar faction led by former MLA Ramveer Singh Bidhuri has back tracked from its earlier call to organise a state-wide strike on June 13 to press for their demand of five per cent reservation for the community. The breakaway group has now given a call to protest at district level on June 16.